How Much Does a Building Permit Cost in Fort Worth, TX? (2026 Guide)
Fort Worth offers third-party review discounts of up to 70% and some of the fastest standard review times in DFW.
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View Fort Worth Permits →If you're a contractor or builder working in Fort Worth, the Development Services Department offers one of the more straightforward permitting processes in the DFW metro. Fort Worth's fee structure is valuation-based with some notable cost-saving options — including third-party review discounts of up to 70%.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about building permit costs in Fort Worth for 2026.
Fort Worth Building Permit Costs at a Glance
Fort Worth calculates building permit fees based on project valuation and square footage. The current fee schedule became effective October 1, 2024.
Residential permit costs:
- Residential remodels: starting at $112 (varies by number of trades involved)
- New residential construction: starts at $96.84 for the first 30 sq ft
- Typical home remodel: approximately $300–$800
- New single-family home: $1,500–$5,000+ depending on size
Commercial permit costs:
- New commercial construction: starts at $96.84 for the first $2,000 of value
- Projects valued at $1M: approximately $7,000–$8,000 for the building permit alone
- Large commercial projects ($5M+): $15,000–$40,000+ in total fees
Third-party review discounts (residential projects):
- 35% fee reduction: when both plan review and field inspections are performed by third parties
- 70% fee reduction: when plan review is by third party with city field inspections
- 55% fee reduction: when plan review is by city staff with third-party field inspections
Where to Apply for a Building Permit in Fort Worth
- Online portal: Accela Citizen Access at aca-prod.accela.com/CFW
- CFW Permit Assist: cfwpermit.fortworthtexas.gov
- Inspection scheduling: (817) 392-6370 (automated, available 24/7)
How Long Does It Take to Get a Building Permit in Fort Worth?
- Standard residential permits: 7 business days
- Standard commercial permits: 7 business days (initial review)
- Complex commercial projects: 4–8 weeks depending on complexity
The 7-business-day standard review for both residential and commercial is notably fast compared to peer cities.
Special Requirements to Know About
Third-party review can dramatically reduce costs. Fort Worth's 35–70% fee reduction for using third-party plan review and inspections is one of the most generous discount structures of any major Texas city.
Concurrent multi-department review. Commercial applications are reviewed simultaneously by building, fire, zoning, and other departments.
Digital submission is the standard. All plans must be submitted digitally through Accela.
Pro Tips for Contractors
Use third-party review for residential volume work. The 70% fee reduction is enormous if you're building multiple homes per year.
Submit your plat with the application. A certified copy of the property's recorded plat is required.
Take advantage of the 7-day standard review. Fort Worth's fast turnaround is a competitive advantage.